Binny's (http://www.binnys.com/) has redone their web site. They had 2003 George T Stagg listed and I ordered 2 botlles (limited to 2 per address). My order is being shipped, but I just checked back and now Stagg is not listed (? don't know if they shipped me the Stagg).

They are also offering a hand picked barrel of Elijah Craig 18YO; from their notes "We picked this barrel with Parker Beam on a Septmeber trip through Heaven Hill's rickhouses in Bardstown. Beautiful mahogany/amber color rich toffee caramel notes backed up by a pepper spice &amp; tobacco backbone. One of the best barrels of any Bourbon we've handpicked." I read some tasting notes of this bourbon and most think it is too woody. I wonder if this barrel would be an improvement.

gr8erdane

02-03-2004, 20:53

If Binny's doesn't tell you any different, you should get your Stagg. I ordered on December 28, and they didn't ship until the holiday was over but I got it the day after they shipped it. According to my inquiry to them, they would have let me know of any backorders via email. I'm sure they'd let you know if the Stagg was out of stock.

robbyvirus

02-04-2004, 01:17

They are also offering a hand picked barrel of Elijah Craig 18YO; from their notes "We picked this barrel with Parker Beam on a Septmeber trip through Heaven Hill's rickhouses in Bardstown. Beautiful mahogany/amber color rich toffee caramel notes backed up by a pepper spice &amp; tobacco backbone. One of the best barrels of any Bourbon we've handpicked." I read some tasting notes of this bourbon and most think it is too woody. I wonder if this barrel would be an improvement.

I have tried two different bottles of the Eliah Craig 18yo, and they have both been so different from one another that it's hard to believe they were sold as the same brand. The first bottle was smooth but with a powerful flavor, and a very strong smokey aroma. It was quirky, but delicious. My second bottle, which I still have most of, was so overpowerfully woody and bitter that it's almost unenjoyable. If I had bought this bottle first, I would never have bought another one. A bottle from a handpicked barrel might be an interesting thing to try.

bobbyc

02-04-2004, 08:14

I read some tasting notes of this bourbon and most think it is too woody.

I have a bottle of EC18 open and it is a real nice Bourbon. Barrel notes are present but it is not woody or bitter, It has a dryness at the finish , but not overly so.

cowdery

02-04-2004, 10:51

I'm very fond of the EC18. By rights it should be too woody but it isn't. It is, however, not for everyone. One might call it "challenging." I certainly wouldn't recommend it to a newbie, but for someone who has tasted a lot of bourbon and wants to taste some of the style's more extreme expressions, EC18 is a good choice.

jeff

02-04-2004, 13:04

I'll agree with Chuck that this is a more "challenging" bourbon to explore. I like it a lot, but I prefer to sip on it while smoking a premium cigar. Click here for a tasting I did last year (http://www.straightbourbon.com/ubbthreads/showthreaded.php?Cat=&amp;Number=21416&amp;page=1&amp;view=col lapsed&amp;sb=5&amp;o=&amp;fpart=1) of EC18 and a Punch Gran Puro. http://www.straightbourbon.com/forums/images/graemlins/bandit.gif

wadewood

02-10-2004, 18:58

I did receive the GTS from Binnys; added to my collection and now have 4 bottles of GTS 2003 (one opened).

Even better, I'm in Denver area right now and found a store with 4 bottles of the 2002 Stagg. I bought all 4; damn that suitcase is going to be heavy on flight back to Seattle. The store (Superior Liquor Market) also had the 18 YO Sazerac rye and 17 YO Eagle Rare on sale for $39.99. The Stagg was $45.